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In the latest installment of Inspire Saudi, we explore a bustling port city Jeddah in the company of people who define its appearance.
«Special Jeddah»
This is how the Saudis call Jeddah. The second largest city in the country is also a recognized center of culture and art. It is no coincidence that this is where the annual 21.39 Jeddah Arts exhibition, organized by the Saudi Arabian Arts Council, takes place.
Participants of the ninth exposition are united by a common art task: to acquaint the viewer with their favorite place through their works. The concept that the Arabic word «maqan» expresses. Artist Lujaine Fakera notes the global perspective of the event: «This is one of the oldest exhibitions in the country,» she elaborates. previous season».
The newly opened Hayy Jameel Center, according to curator Rahul Goodipudi, «becomes a kind of melting pot and at the same time a very personal space where talented people can be inspired by each other, learn from the wider community, whether it be a long-established Saudi art space or an international platform. «.
Quarter as the hero of the film
El-Balad district — «city» in Arabic — is considered one of the oldest places of human settlement. Today, El Balad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and host of the Red Sea International Film Festival.
Saudi cinematographer Lina Malaika filmed her first film here. “Last year, I co-directed the film Maskoon with my close friend David Dark,” she said. “And we filmed the entire film in El Balad. If you walk around the block, you will notice that this is the perfect filming location. around El Balad, so you get the opportunity to showcase the beauty of our art and the richness of our heritage.»
The picture was selected for the Red Sea film festival. «I'm very proud to be a Saudi filmmaker,» says Lina, «But it's also a huge responsibility. I have to make sure that I create dynamic, informative and thoughtful works that truly represent me and my country.»
For every taste
Jeddah is full of flavors, from the central waterfront fish market to the many food trucks scattered throughout the city. The Saudis are known for their hospitality and Euronews checked out some of the city's best addresses.
The menu of Baeshen, the legendary gourmet restaurant, presents fish in all its forms. Food blogger and photographer Abudllah Tabit says: «This is the most famous restaurant in Jeddah. Cooking is a taste experience, it is an art. Today we have a lot of chefs, they show their talent, their dishes, their service. We host people from all over the world».
Any guest of Jeddah cannot do without a visit to one of the oldest bakeries in the country, Forn Al-Shaikh. The fragrant bread has been baked here for over a hundred years.
Jeddah's haute cuisine segment is also multi-faceted, with Chef Keith Yip setting the tone at the award-winning Shang Palace Restaurant. His forte is the colorful compositions. «If your dish is colorful, consider that you have already won 30% success. 70% is in the texture, composition, and of course the recipe of the dish. I use a lot of bright elements on my plates, I strive not only to attract gourmets, but also to attract the eye» , — the chef told our correspondent.